Surgical splint



= Sept. 22, 1931. -ETTlNGER I 1,823,972

SURGICAL SPLINT Filed Dec. 5. 1927 lNVENToR.

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D STATES P T T OFFICE FOE J. E-TTINGER, OF WARSAW, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TOZIMMER MANUFACTURING- COMPANY, OF WARSAW, INDIANA, A CORPORATIONSURGICAL SPLINT Application filed. December 5 1927. Serial No. 237,622.

The invention relates to surgical splints and it is particularlydirected to splints adapted for use in connection with a fracturedmetacarpal bone.

The object of the invention isto provide a metacarpal splint that willfit the contour of the anterior surface of the hand and fingers in theusual or normal position in which the hand is held and therebycontribute materially to the ease and comfort of the patient and afforduniform pressure at all points of bearing. i T

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the splint; Fig. 2 a rearelevational view of the same; Fig. 3

a side view of the splint and Fig. Jean elevational view of the splinttaken at the opposite side thereof. v

Referring to the illustrative embodiment of the invention the body 1 ofthe splint is preferably cast of aluminum or other light metal, theinterior being hollow or :cored. The openings 2 and 3 at the oppositesides of the splint permit the gauze or tape 4 to be passed through thesplint for the purpose of binding the hand onto the splint.

The forward portion or finger supporting section 5 of the body of thesplint is relatively thick and the rear or palm supporting sectiontapers in a vertical plane. In order that the top side of the body shallfit the contour of the anterior surface of the hand the top side of thesection 5 and the forward end ,of the body are convex both transverselyand longitudinally, one side of section 5being extended laterally at 6and rounded to form a concave receiving space 7 for the first finger ofthe hand, the first two phalanges of the thumb being engaged under saidextension 6. At the opposite side of the body 1 the section 5 isconcaved to form a receiving space 8 for the little finger of the hand.The convex surface between the annular space 7 and the The section 9 ofthe top surface of the body 1', rearwardly of the section is the pahnarsection. A transversely rounded ridge 10 extendsin a diagonal directionon the section 9" from the section 5 toward the rear end of the body,and upon opposite sides of the ridge the section slopes downwardlytransversely and longitudinally to form a surface 11 to thumbsupportingsidetowardthe opposite side.

The rear portion 13 of the bottom of the splint curves upwardly andpresents a twisted ei'fect.

The various surfaces of the top of the splint above described, when thehand is taped or bound to the splint, cause the splint -to fit the palmof the hand and the under surfaces of the fingers and thumb in thenatural position of the hand, thereby afiording comfort and ease to thepatient and uniform pressure at all points of bearing of the hand uponthe splint.

It is to be noted that the drawings illustrate a splint adapted for useon the right hand. The splint for the left hand will be similar to thesplint illustrated except that the various surfaces will be reversed toaccommodate the left hand.

What I claim is:

1. A splint consisting of a body having a finger supporting section onits surface at and adjacent one end and having a palm supporting sectionbetween said finger supporting section and the rear end of the body, alateral projection on the body adapted to be received between the firstfinger and the thumb, the finger-supporting section being convex and thepalm-supporting section having depressions at its opposite sides adaptedto be engaged by the fleshly portions of said palm and the bottom of thebody being convex longitudinally.

2. A metacarpal splint consisting of a hollow body having its topsurface and forward end convex for engagement by the fingers of thehand,-and having its rear portion taperingin a vertical plane, the topsurface of said rear portion having depressions upon opposite sides toreceive the fleshy portions of the palm of the'hand, an annularprojection on one side of the body adapted to be engaged on its upperand forwardside surfaces by the first finger .ofa hand and upon its rearand lower surfaces by the thumb, the body having alined apertures in itsopposite sides to receive a member adapted to bind the hand upon thesaid body.

3. A metacarpal splint comprising a hollow body, an aperturedsubstantially cylindrical hollow boss on one side of the body,

the opposite side of the body having an aper ture therein, saidapertures being adapted to permit the lacing of a hand through the bodyfor binding the human'hand uponthe body, the top surface of the bodybetween the apertured Walls being convex inthe central portion thereofand concave adjacent each of said apertured walls, the forward end Wallbeing convex longitudinally and transversely, and the section of the topsurface rearwardly of the said convex surface thereof n being concavedlongitudinally and transversely toward the edge of the body to form palmengaging surfaces for the hand.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 19th day ofNovember, 1927. JOE J, ETTINGER.

